Historic Route 66

Overview

Immortalised in folklore, film and song, Route 66 remains the iconic symbol of the great American road trip. This is a journey of adventure, discovery and the freedom of the open road. Cruise along 'America's Main Street', the first paved highway linking Chicago with the West. On this Route 66 tour you'll cross eight states and make a small detour for the biggest sight in the West, the magnificent Grand Canyon. From snow-cones and corndogs, to cowboys, country music and rock 'n' roll - it's classic Americana all the way, as you travel from the heartland to the coast on the world's most famous road.

Included Highlights

Explore the Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum

Visit the historic Coleman Theatre

Entry to Abraham Lincoln's House and Museum

St Louis Gateway Arch

Stay at the famous and historic El Rancho Hotel

See the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo

Crossing the sprawling Great Plains

Cruise the Las Vegas Strip on a tour of the city

Grand Canyon National Park

Visit Pontiac's painted wall murals

Visit the iconic Santa Monica Pier

Wine and cheese ‘Sundowner’ in an area of natural beauty

Need to Know

Tour Style

Discovery

Group Size

Max 13

Hotel

13 Nights

Other Inclusions

Services of a professional tour leader

All transportation by private vehicle

Free Wi-Fi in your vehicle (Maximum 5 users at one time)

4 breakfasts included. All other meals paid locally

Essential Information

Prices quoted are land only. Call us on 0333 999 7951 for a flight quote (UK only)

This tour requires a minimum number of five to operate. On rare occasions we may run with lower numbers

You'll travel in a custom-built air-conditioned private vehicle designed with your comfort in mind. Our small group vehicles offer greater flexibility compared to large coaches and guarantee to get you further off the beaten path. Our US fleet of vehicles are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and some other great features including:

Extra-large windows for better viewing

Wider seats with additional leg room

6'3'' interior height for added comfort

Full-height electric bi-fold entry door

Centre aisle & overhead luggage racks

Reading lamps and a TV screen

Free Wi-Fi (Limited to max 5 users)

Itinerary

Our american road trip routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

All departures of this tour in 2019 are guaranteed, so once you've booked you can be sure you're going! This guarantee gives you the confidence to book all of your travel arrangements and simply look forward to your holiday.

Look out for the Trip Advisor logo in the itinerary below to read hotel reviews. On the rare occasion that accommodation is not available we will stay in a local property of a similar standard.

You've arrived in Chicago, the official start of Route 66. A welcome meeting will be held at 18:00 hrs in your hotel for you to meet your tour leader and fellow travelling companions. If you arrive earlier in the day why not kick off your Route 66 holiday by grabbing a slice of deep-dish pizza before venturing up the Willis Tower, or take to the streets for your very own walking tour along the shores of Lake Michigan.

CAMBRIA HOTEL

Accommodation

Meals

Optional Activities

After leaving Chicago, your first stop on your Route 66 holiday is the town of Pontiac to see the fantastic Main Street murals celebrating Route 66, the Pontiac automobile brand, and local cultural and political history. A collection of more than 150 artists known as the `Walldogs' painted a collection of 18 murals in just four days in the summer of 2009. Then you'll head south to the iconic Route 66 stop of Springfield, the capital of Illinois. Springfield's favourite son was Abraham Lincoln and you'll pay a visit to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the home that he lived in with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, from 1844 until 1861 when he became US President. Springfield is also the birthplace of the corndog and drive-thru restaurants, so make sure you arrive with an empty stomach!

The State House Inn (or similar)

Accommodation

Meals

From Springfield, Illinois, it's only a couple of hours drive to St Louis, Missouri. St Louis is one of the largest cities in the USA with a metropolitan population of over 2.8 million. Founded in 1764 it became a major port on the Mississippi River and even hosted the Olympic Games in 1904. The Gateway Arch commemorates the settlement of America's West and it was from here that countless pioneers set out to conquer the wild frontier. Stop at Ted Drewes, an iconic Route 66 tour attraction, where you can try a 'Concrete', an extremely thick milkshake made from vanilla frozen custard. Spend the evening checking out the city's vibrant nightlife at your leisure.

Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch (OR SIMILAR)

Accommodation

Meals

Home to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and considered an alternative version of The Strip, country music is to Branson what gambling is to Las Vegas. With over 50 dinner theatres, shows and other entertainment oddities, Branson is where it's at in Missouri. It unleashes a hefty dose of pure Americana and a wonderful playlist to enjoy it to.

Grand Plaza Hotel Branson (or similar)

Accommodation

Meals

Optional Activities

Oklahoma, with more driveable miles of the old highway than any other state, is a mecca for fans of the 'Mother Road'. Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state. You spend a couple of nights here and can enjoy a full day discovering some of the city's many cultural attractions. Visit the Route 66 Vintage Iron Motorcycle Museum and the historic Coleman Theatre - built in the late 1920s in the era of vaudeville and silent films. Oklahoma is also the gateway to cowboy country so what could be a better introduction to the 'Wild West' than an optional visit to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Originally established in 1955 as the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum, it has broadened its scope to encompass both Western and Native American artwork and artefacts as well as historic photographs. Oklahoma City is a great place to see a baseball game and if you're interested, please mention this to your leader early on. A top tip is to swing by the many food trucks scattered around the city and sample some local flavours at reasonable prices.

Sheraton Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel (or similar)

Accommodation

Meals

Optional Activities

Amarillo in the state of Texas is your destination for today. Before you leave Oklahoma and get on your 'Way to Amarillo', you'll visit the 'official' Route 66 Museum to learn about the legends surrounding the road you're travelling on, and make a short stop at Lucille's Service Station & Roadhouse. Then you make your way to the Big Texan Steak Ranch for a steak meal (optional). If you can eat a 72-oz. steak in less than one hour, you get it for free! This is 'Man Vs Food' for real!

Drury Inn & Suites Amarillo (or similar)

Accommodation

Meals

Optional Activities

Your Route 66 road trip continues with a visit to the Cadillac Ranch, where 10 classic cars are buried nose-down in the dirt. The owners encourage graffiti, so you can grab a spray can and leave your mark! After a short driving time, you reach the Midpoint Café, the midway point between Chicago and Los Angeles, which is famous for hot coffee and rolls. Today you make a stop at Tucumcari Post and Curios, an eccentric souvenir store and drive through the Tijeras Canyon which cuts the Southern Rocky Mountains from east to west.

Nativo Lodge Albuquerque (or similar)

Accommodation

Meals

Optional Activities

Drive along the Rio Puerco Valley to Inscription Rock, a cliff face at El Morro National Monument where you can observe Native American petroglyphs. Cross the Continental Divide en route to Gallup. Stay at the El Rancho Hotel, a little slice of history which counts John Wayne and Katherine Hepburn amongst its famous guests.

Accommodation

Meals

Stop at the Petrified Forest National Park to see the different colours of rock layered on top of each other. Pass through Winslow and see the location mentioned in The Eagles' lyric, "standin' on the corner in Winslow, Arizona". The Grand Canyon is the ultimate symbol of the Desert Southwest and a spectacle not to be missed. It's not on the original Route 66, but it's so close it would be a crime to pass it by! This incredible natural wonder is difficult to comprehend. You'll have plenty of opportunity to explore the park at your own pace. In your free time, we highly recommend a scenic helicopter flight over the canyon, which offers perspectives that you simply can't see visiting on foot. Venture down the Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point, or stroll along the more leisurely West Rim Trail and catch a shuttle bus out to Hermit's Rest. Finish your day by watching the amazing IMAX film, 'The Grand Canyon Experience', and enjoy a spectacular sunset over one of the world's natural wonders!

Meals

Optional Activities

The historic Route 66 town of Seligman and its Snow Cap Diner makes for a quirky stop, especially since it’s filled to the brim with pure Americana. Next up is Vegas and if it's gambling you want, you’ve come to the right place, as nowhere else in the world will you find so many casinos. In Las Vegas you'll enjoy a city tour to discover some of the quirky things that epitomise this city, as well as learning about some of its colourful history. You also have time for some last-minute shopping and to relax by the pool before a night out on the town amidst the bright lights and world-class shows.

On your final day, you have the endless sunshine of California in your sights, following Route 66 across the great Mojave Desert to the city of Los Angeles. You'll toast farewell to an epic American road trip and to your new friends, from the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

This tour ends at our gateway hotel at approximately 17:00 hrs. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required. If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00 hrs.

Accommodation

None included. Tour ends at 17:00 hrs

Meals

Meals paid locally

Tour Extras

We offer a whole range of travel extras, from additional hotel nights to flights and insurance, so you can organise everything you'll need for your route 66 trip.

Our tours depart at designated hotels in our gateway cities, so it's a great idea to book a room for the night before and after your tour. It's also worth staying extra nights to explore the city more. You must book these hotels in advance either online with your tour or by contacting our friendly sales team.

CHICAGO - CAMBRIA HOTEL

166 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611

This modern hotel is located in Chicago's Magnificent Mile, in the heart of the city and within walking distance to the beach, Navy Pier and The John Hancock Building.

Full room (Your own single or double room)

From £173 | US$228 | Eur208 | AU$295 | NZ$309Price per room per night

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

“Continental Airport Express” is a private shuttle company and can be found in the airport baggage claim area. Cost is approx. US$28 per person, plus tip. Transfer takes approx. 45 minutes. If you wish to pre-reserve your shuttle, call within the US toll-free (888) 284-3826 or visit www.airportexpress.com. Failing this a taxi should cost you in the region of US$50-$60 depending on traffic..

Our tours depart at designated hotels in our gateway cities, so it's a great idea to book a room for the night before and after your tour. It's also worth staying extra nights to explore the city more. You must book these hotels in advance either online with your tour or by contacting our friendly sales team.

AIRPORT TRANSFER INFORMATION

The hotel operates a free airport to hotel pickup from the international airport to the Fairfield Inn & Suites Hotel. Whilst this is a complimentary service a tip of US$1-2 is generally expected. On arrival to the airport, please call the hotel and advise them which terminal you are at and to arrange pick up. The transfer should take approximately 15 minutes by road, depending on traffic.

If you’ve booked pre or post nights in our gateway cities, spend some time exploring. We’ve partnered with GetYourGuide to make sure you take in all the highlights and experience everything these incredible cities have to offer.

Our specialist flights department can offer UK customers a great airline fare to all of our destinations. We have preferred contracts with many international carriers and have secured some of the most competitive prices in the industry.

At Grand American Adventures we believe that your safety and enjoyment are the most important parts of your holiday. That's why we recommend you take out insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. We can offer you a comprehensive travel insurance policy which is completely tailored for your trip and is specially designed to include all the activities listed we do.

If you do not take our policy, you must ensure that the policy you do take offers an equivalent level of protection and covers you for the activities involved - be aware that some policies do not include, or restrict, coverage for this type of travel. ​

There are loads of exciting optional activities available for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don't. A list of optional activities and approximate costs are shown at the end of each day by day itinerary descriptions above.

Your tour leader will arrange your chosen activities during the tour so no need to pre-book. You'll also pay for these locally so ensure you budget for the bucket list items!

As local weather conditions and seasonality can change not all optional activities may be available on your trip and prices can be subject to change.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit our Travel Aware page. The advice can change so check regularly for updates.